Rack



I April 15, 1930. E. scHRElBr-:R

RACK

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1929 Patented Apr. 15, 1930 PATENT OFFICE i- EMILE SCHREIBER, 0F ATGI-IISON, KANSAS BACK Application filed May 31, 1929. Serial No. 367,364.

This invention relates to a rack and has relation more particularly to a device of this kind especiall designed and adapted for use for caps and indred merchandise, and it is an object of the invention to provide a rack of this character of a revolvable type, together with means whereby the same may be effectively closed or covered to protect the mechandise upon the shelves of the rack or case from dust and the like.V

Another objett of the invention is to` provide a device of this kind comprising a plurality of shelves, said shelves being; supported in a manner whereby they can be readily and conveniently removed or applied asthe occasions of practice may necessitate.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved rack whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will y hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same 'with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein z-f- Figure 1 is a View in elevation of a rack constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, the closing member being partly extended;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view takenV through the lower portion of the device asherein disclosed and illustrating the mounting for the rotating rack;

Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view illustrating in detail the means herein disclosed for holding the shelves in applied position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the structure as illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in top plan illustrating a topmounting for he roller associated with the closing mem- Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary `view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of the structure illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view partly in section and partly in top plan illustrating the connection of the bracket with the upper portion of the casing for the roller;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken through the roller and the associated casing;

Figure l0 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the upper portion of the rotating rack illustrating the hand hold carried there- As disclosed in the accompanying 'drawings, B denotes a base of suitable construction and design including a table l. Extending upwardly from the base a desired distance and positioned centrally of the table l is a stationary shaft 2. This shaft 2 is also `disposed centrally and axially through a central column C comprised in the structure of the rack proper.

This column C is connected to a circular bottom wall 3 and top wall 4. These walls 3 and 4 are connected by the circumferentially spaced and interposed columns 5, said columns being arranged in series with the columns of each series spaced in a direction radiallyof the bottom and top walls 3 and 4.-. The bottom wall 3 at its central part carries a table 6 which overlies the table 1 and interposed between said tables l and 6 is an antifriction member 7 whereby the rack proper may be readily rotated around the shaft 2. As particularly illustrated in Figure l, the shaft 2 projects a slight distance above the top wall 4.

The side faces of the columns 5, or of adjacent series of such columns, are provided with the suitable positioned grooves 8 which receive the marginal portions of the horizontally disposed shelves 9. An applied shelf 9 is held against displacement by a swingingbutton 10 pivotally engaged, as at 11, midway its ends with the outer face of an outermost column 5. It is to be noted that each button 10 is of a length to serve as a retaining means for two horizontally adjacent applied shelves 9 and when in a vertical position permits a free and unhindered application or removal of a shelf.

The shelves 9 may be of any desired number and of preferred dimensions and each of said shelves affords convenient means for holding a supply of caps or other merchandise, and access'may be conveniently had to the various shelves by rotating the rack structure proper as required.

The bottom wall 3 carries va depending 4annular flange 12 positioned adjacent to the periphery of said wall while the top wall 4.

carries an upstanding annular flange 14 of the same diameter as the flange 12. The purose of these flanges 12 and 14 will be heremater referred to.

Extending outwardly and radially from the table 1 is a fixed arm 15 while extending outwardly and radially from the upper eX- tended portion ofthe shaft 2 is a second elongated arm 16, said arms 1-5 and 16 being vertically aligned. The outer portion of the arm 16 is provided therethrough with an 4elongated and horizontally disposed slot 17 in which is slidably mounted a bearing block 18. This block 18 has an outstanding arm or shank 19 freely disposed through an opening 2O in the outer end of the arm 16.V Positioned within the slot 17 and interposed between the outer end of the arm 16 and the opposed face of the block 18 is an expansible member 21 of desired tension, said member being herein disclosed Vas a coil spring encircling the arm or shank 19. The tension of this member or sprin 21 issuch Yto constantly urge the bearin b ock 18 inwardly of the arm 16.

hreaded upon the outer or extended lend portion of the arm or shank 19 is a wing nut 22. By turning this nut 22 in the re uisite direction the resultant Contact there@ with the adjacent end off the Earm 16 will move thc bearing b'lock 18 outwardly or against the tension of the member or spring21.

y The lower portion of the block 18 is car- 'ried by the inner end ortion ofthe upper arm 23 of a substantia ly U-shaped bracket, the intermediate or base portion 24 of which being substantially vertically disposed and arrangedbeyond the outer .endof the arm 16. Thearm '23 is freely disposed through an openng`25 provided inthe outer end of the 'arm 16 so that the block 18f1n'aylhave desired sliding movement within the slot 17..

The second or lowerarm 260i thelbracket has its free end" ortion providedwith a depending flange2 extending beyond opposite sides ofsaid arm 26.

This fflange 27 has close contact with the flange :28 comprised in a slip cap'29 for closthe upper end of'a. casing 30. "The vflange 27 is held tothe flange A28 bythe screws l31 which also engage fthe wall o'fthecasin'g30 to lock the cap 29 in applied position.

The'dnter'eud portion 'of the lower arm '15 is formed similarly as that of thc arm 16 with the exception that the bracket is upwardly disposed so that the second arm 23 ofsuch bracket is engaged wth a lower slip cap 2S).

As the sliding bearing block carried by the tions 'of the arms 16 or 15 are provided with l longitudinally disposed slots 35 through which said trunnion 432 is disposed, said slots 35 being of a length to permit the desired sliding adjustment of a bearing block 18.

Each of the trunnions 32 immediately adjacent to an applied cap 29 has liXed thereto a roller 34 ol' desired dimensions, the periphery of which being adapted to have frictional contact with an annular flange 3 or 4 so that rotation of the rack proper will result in rotation of the roller 33.

The roller 33 is adapted to have wound thereon or unwound therefrom an `elongated flexible member or sheet 36, the same being of a width to bridge the space between the top and bottom walls 3 and 4 and to lap the peripheral portions thereof.

This flexible member or sheet 36 extends througha longitudinally disposed slot 37 poxica sitioned in the inner portion of the wall of the casing 30 Iand said outer end portion ot the member or sheet 36 is provided with suitable means whereby the same maybe detachably engaged with 'the rack when it is desired to close -the rack. Vhen the outer end portion of the member orsheet 536 is secured to a column 5 rotation of the rack structure in one direction will draw Aout the member or sheet 36 from within `the casing 3() and entirely enclose the rack. In this operation, it is not necessary that the wheels or rollers be in Contact with .the flanges 12 and 14. However, when it is desired to uncover or open up the Arack structure, `upon rotation of the rack structure in the requisite direction with the wheels 34 in-contact witlilthe flanges 12 and 14 the froller 433 will be Vrotated in a direction tofcausethe fle'xible member orl sheet 36 to wind `upon said roller Y33. Vith the Vflexible memberorsheet 36 :properly Wound, Y

upon requisite rotation of the nuts 22 the wheels 34 will be moved away and out of contact with ythe lflanges 12 and 14. Under such kconditions it will .also be understood lua that the outer end portion of the flexible 3 1 member or-sheet 36 is disconnected romithe rack structure. The 'flexible member or sheet '36,'as'herein disclosed, is provided atits outer end with a `cross stripl38 possessing a certain degreeof inherent flexibility andthe extremities of this strip 38 are adapted to be disposed through suitably positioned loop members 39 carried by the walls 3 and 4c. The central portion of the strip 38 is provided with a slot l0 through which is adapted to be disposed a turnbutton 41. This button 4l is of a conventional type and carried by the outer edge face of the column 5. The turnbutton il together with the loop members 39 provide means whereby the outer end portion of the flexible member or sheet 36 may be detachably engaged with the rack when it is desired to close the rack.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a rack constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation ofthe several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim l. In combination with a rotating rack, a roller supported adjacent to said rack, a flexible member coacting with the roller and adapted to wind thereon and unwind therefrom, said flexible member when unwound serving to enclose the rack, means for connecting the outer end portion of the ilexible member to the rack, and means in drivin engagement with the rack and the roller for revlflving the roller upon rotation of the rac 2. In combination with a rotating rack, a roller, means for supporting the roller adiacent the rack for movement toward or from the rack, a flexible member winding upon or unwinding from the roller, means for secur- 1ng sa1d flexible member to the rack, said flexible member when unwound providing means for enclosing the rack, and a wheel rotating with the roller, said wheel when the roller 1s moved toward the rack Contactin@r with a part of the rack to revolve the rolle?` upon rotation of the rack.

3. In combination, a base, an upstanding stationary shaft carried thereby, a rack rotatlng upon the base and around the shaft, arms extending from the base and from the shaft above the rack, said arms terminating beyond the rack, bearing blocks carried by the outer end portions of the arms and movable lengthwise thereof, means for moving said bearing blocks, a roller interposed between and rotatably engaged with the blocks, a flexible member winding upon and unwinding from the roller, means for connecting the flexible member to the rack, said flexible member upon rotation of the rack in one direction enclosing the rack, and a wheel rotating with the roller, said wheel frictionally engaging a part of the rack when the bearing blocks are in one position for rotation when the rack is rotated.

4.' In combination, a base, an upstanding stationary shaft carried thereby, a rack rotating upon the base and around the shaft, arms extending from the base and from the sha-ft above the rack, said arms terminating beyond the rack, bearing blocks carried by the outer end portions of the arms and movable lengthwise thereof, means for moving said bearing blocks, a roller interposed between and rotatably engaged with the blocks, a flexible member winding upon and unwinding from the roller, means for connecting the flexible member to the rack, said flexible member upon rotation of the rack in one direction enclosing the rack, a wheel rotating with the roller, said wheel frictionally engaging a part of the rack when the bearing blocks are in one position for rotation when the rack is rotated, brackets carried by the bearing blocks, a casing surrounding the roller and the flexible member wound thereon, said casing being interposed between the brackets, and means for securing the casing to said brackets.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

EMILE SCHREIBER.

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